Mustero: 1966 Ford Mustang Pickup for Sale
A custom 1966 Ford Mustang converted into a 'Mustero' pickup is for sale. The 2024 conversion, inspired by 1980s Beverly Hills Mustang Ltd builds, features a 302 V8 and a functional tailgate.
A 1966 Ford Mustang coupe, recently converted into a custom pickup utility, is for sale with no reserve. The vehicle, known as a Mustero, was built in 2024 and is powered by a rebuilt 302 cubic inch Windsor V8 engine.
This modern recreation draws direct inspiration from the original Mustang Ranchero pickups built by Beverly Hills Mustang Ltd in the early 1980s. Unlike those originals, this 2024 conversion features a fully functional, hinged tailgate for easier cargo access.
The Build and Specifications
The seller states the conversion required over 2,000 hours of labor. The roof was shortened and the rear pillars were narrowed, with the original rear window frame welded into the reshaped cab. A fabricated steel cargo bed was installed, and the fuel filler was relocated to the bed floor.
Mechanical work continued into 2025. The 302 V8 was rebuilt with Edelbrock E-Street aluminum cylinder heads and a Performer RPM intake manifold. The Holley carburetor was also rebuilt.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Engine | 302 cubic inch Windsor V8 |
| Transmission | C-4 3-speed automatic |
| Wheels | 14-inch styled-steel |
| Tires | BFGoodrich Radial T/A |
| Exhaust | Dual system with Xlerator mufflers |
| Radiator | Cold Case aluminum |
Other work included installing a replacement fuel tank and sending unit, replacing shock absorbers, and overhauling the drum brakes.
Interior and Finish
Inside, the bucket seats and door panels were retrimmed in Parchment vinyl. The cabin features black carpeting, woodgrain dashboard trim, and a woodgrain-rimmed steering wheel. A retro-style digital media receiver is fitted. Lexan door windows are also installed.
The Original Mustero Story
The source, Silodrome, details the history of the original conversions. In 1980, a shop called Beverly Hills Mustang Ltd, located at 9280 Alden Drive in Beverly Hills, California, began converting rebuilt 1965 and 1966 Mustangs into pickups. They called the result the Mustang Ranchero. Collectors later dubbed it the Mustero.
Andy Hill, who says he was hired in 1980 to build them, stated the prototype was sold later that year. Ed Sherwood, a former body shop employee, wrote in 2003 that the cars were built from completely restored Mustangs with 289 engines.
A long-lost 1981 brochure from Beverly Hills Mustang described the 65/66 Mustang Ranchero. It was built from a rust-free California coupe with new or rebuilt components. The complete car sold for $6,500 USD with a 289 V8, automatic transmission, and power steering.
The brochure listed optional extras. A 4-speed manual transmission added $250 USD. Front disc brakes cost $400 USD. Factory air conditioning was $600 USD. The shop's exclusive Pony bench seat was $450 USD.
The conversion involved cutting out the rear seat and the roof section above it. The remaining roof was brought back to meet the rear window frame. The bed measured three and a half by four and a half feet. It was carpeted and had chrome side rails and a tonneau cover. A 12-inch deep locking compartment sat behind it.
The brochure emphasized the bodywork was all metal, stating No Fiberglass! However, Ed Sherwood recalled molding fiberglass beds in the body shop in 2003, suggesting methods may have changed.
Production Numbers and Legacy
Former employees agree total production was a small number. Sherwood remembered three or four during his time. The son of founder J. Brunk says four or five. Andy Hill gives the same range, stating he built every one except the prototype.
This contradicts a common myth that 50 were built in 1966 for $6,500 per conversion. Silodrome reports this story originated from a misreading of a German enthusiast site and has no contemporary source from the 1960s.
The source notes there are now far more Musteros in the world than were built by Beverly Hills Mustang. Many later conversions have been made, some with functioning tailgates. This 2024 build is a prime example of that enduring legacy.
The vehicle for sale is located in Rochester, New Hampshire. It comes with recent service records and a New Hampshire registration that identifies it as a two-door sedan.
